CATS SHAKE-UP

List changes may start with Enright retirement

THE imminent retirement of Corey Enright (pictured) will be the first in several changes to a Geelong list that could undergo a significant facelift over summer.

Enright, 35, and the Cats management met earlier this month where the six-time All-Australian indicated he would definitely retire if Geelong won the 2016 flag.

As of yesterday he had not told the club of his plans, though teammates interpreted his body language after Friday night to suggest he has played the last of his record 332 games.

Enright is expected to be joined in retirement by Jimmy Bartel, 32, who contrary to reports has not been told he may play in the VFL next year should he choose to activate a clause in his contract.

Bartel is disappointed in continued speculation concerning his position in a side that he has played at AFL level only for the past 12 years.

The retirement of Bartel and Enright will leave only Andrew Mackie and Joel Selwood as remaining members of Geelong’s 2007 premiership side, its first in 44 years.

Speculation continues over the future of enigmatic midfielder/forward Steven Motlop, 25, who is contracted for next year before becoming a restricted free agent.

The Cats are believed to be willing to deal on Motlop if he wants to leave and there is a suitor prepared to offer appropriate compensation for a player who finished second in the 2015 best-and-fairest.

Talk that Motlop could form part of a trade for Richmond’s Brett Deledio is premature given that the Tigers are still saying the 29year-old remains a required player.

And Geelong would need to find extra salary cap room to lure Deledio.

Mid-size forward Shane Kersten, 23, is out of contract and believed to be extremely disappointed to have been dropped after playing 17 of the first 22 games.

He has attracted interest from his home state of Western Australia and appears a likely departure.

George Horlin-Smith, 23, is contracted, but after just one game this year and seven in 2015 (21 in 2014), Geelong will work with a rival club should interest be expressed in a player who is highly respected as a person at Simonds Stadium.

Billie Smedts, 24, is contracted for another year, but has attracted the interest of Carlton. If that deal gets done it would involve a late draft pick.

Forward/ruckman Nathan Vardy, 25, is out of contract and there is interest in him from a few clubs. If a deal can’t be done he will be offered a new contract, but reality says he will request a fresh start.

Jordan Murdoch, 24, is contracted and at this stage will be remaining with Geelong.